In today’s world, millions of people struggle with their mental health every single day. Though symptoms may vary, many individuals will experience a reduced quality of life, while some will sadly get to a point of feeling there is no way out. We talk a lot about taking a holistic approach to dentistry and it is a big part of our job as dental professionals to help educate patients about mental health and its impact on the body. This message is even more important in September when we put a spotlight on suicide awareness.
A growing epidemic
In 2023, more than 6,000 suicides were reported across England and Wales. This was an increase from 5,600 deaths the previous year and the highest suicide rate since 1999. The figures show that men in aged 45-49 and women aged 50-54 were most likely to be affected.[i]
This comes at a time when 1 in 4 people in England will experience a mental health problem each year, with 1 in 6 experiencing common conditions like anxiety or depression. Concerningly, 1 in 5 people are believed to have suicidal thoughts, while 1 in 15 make an attempt.[ii]
Unspoken demons
One of the greatest challenges in helping those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts is that up to 60% of people do not disclose their suicidal ideation or behaviours with anyone else.[iii] This may be for a number of reasons, including fear of the reaction they will receive, concern about not being believed or taken seriously, and making family members or friends worry.
Despite massive inroads towards making mental health a less taboo topic of conversation, there is still a long way to go. Related surveys[iv] from 2024 suggest that 65% of Brits would still avoid talking about mental health. Perhaps surprisingly, the younger generation seemed most likely to not share, with 69% of 16-24-years-olds and 72% of 25-34-year-olds saying they would not discuss the matter. The pandemic and the rising cost of living were cited as major drivers for poor mental health among all age categories, in addition to work-related stress and difficult relationships.
Changing the conversation
To help more people feel able to talk when they are facing mental health challenges, it’s important that the conversation is framed in the right way. We should be avoiding language that suggests any kind of blame or lack of strength, and instead be sure to use compassion and sensitivity wherever possible. It is just as necessary to stay away from giving someone direct instructions, or telling them how they should be feeling.
Often, it can help a person just to know that someone cares. Simply asking if they are ok and really listening to the answer may be all it takes for a dental professional to start building rapport with their patient so that they may open up later down the line. Offering information or pointing a person towards educational or supportive resources can also gently show them that they are not alone and they don’t have to suffer in silence. Our focus should be on making the dental practice a safe space for our patients to talk when they’re ready.
Protecting the profession
Though not the focus of the article today, mental health difficulties are not unknown to the dental profession. It is well documented that dentists and team members are at a higher risk of stress than the general population, with suicide also a major concern.
The often-quoted BDA survey[v] from 2019 showed dentists to experience high levels of stress and burnout, especially those working within the NHS framework. The same research found that over 17% of respondents had thoughts about suicide. GDC data from 2024 also found that of the 20 deaths among dentists subjected to a fitness to practise hearing between 2019 and 2022, 1-3 were confirmed as suicide.[vi]
As such, in addition to supporting patients with their mental health, it is just as important that we are there for colleagues too. A simple phone call to a friend going through a tough time can make a huge difference.
Making a difference
Suicide is a profound challenge, but by remaining open, supportive, non-judgemental and compassionate, we could make a real difference to someone. While dental professionals are not primarily tasked with identifying and helping individuals who may be struggling with their mental health, we are well-positioned to offer support and signpost people who need it. This is a difficult conversation to start, but it’s an important one to have. Only then can we help those who might otherwise stay silent.
For further information about the endodontic referral services available from EndoCare, please call 020 7224 0999 or visit www.endocare.co.uk
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
[i] Office for National Statistics. Suicides in England and Wales: 2023 registrations. August 2024. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2023 [Accessed June 2025]
[ii] Mind. Mental health facts and statistics. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-facts-and-statistics/ [Accessed June 2025]
[iii] Hallford DJ, Rusanov D, Winestone B, Kaplan R, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Melvin G. Disclosure of suicidal ideation and behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Clin Psychol Rev. 2023 Apr;101:102272. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102272. Epub 2023 Mar 26. PMID: 37001469.
[iv] Mind. UK hiding behind a ‘brave face’ to avoid speaking about mental health. February 2024. https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/uk-hiding-behind-a-brave-face-to-avoid-speaking-about-mental-health/ [Accessed June 2025]
[v] Collin, V., Toon, M., O’Selmo, E. et al. A survey of stress, burnout and well-being in UK dentists. Br Dent J 226, 40–49 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2019.6
[vi] GDC. Report on the dental professionals who dies while fitness to practise concerns were investigated or remediated. November 2024. https://www.gdc-uk.org/about-us/our-organisation/reports/report-on-the-dental-professionals-who-died-while-fitness-to-practise-concerns-were-investigated-or-remediated [Accessed June 2025]ß
